Intervention by Indonesian Delegation at Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the Right to Food and the Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing

My delegation would like to thank both Special Rapporteurs for their reports.

On the right to food, in addition to several projects on women empowerment in Indonesia mentioned in the report, my delegation wishes to share other relevant policies and programs in my country.

The Indonesian Government has issued Regulation No. 68 of 2002 on Food Security and Law No. 18 of 2012 on Food to ensure that basic food necessities in regular households are met and affordable, both in quantity and quality. In addition, a National Action Plan for Food and Nutrition of 2011-2015 was established aiming at enhancing food security and nutrition fulfillment of our people, especially for women and children. The action plan, which synergized the coordination of food and nutrition’s management in the country, is based on 5 pillars, namely: efforts to improve the community’s nutrition level; increase food accessibility; improve quality control and food security; improve clean and healthy lifestyle; and strengthen food and nutrition institutions.

Mr. President, allow me to ask Special Rapporteur the following question: taking into account vast and delicate nature not only in terms of the number of population but also geographical challenges, how should states prioritize their food and women-empowerment program to enhance the welfare of their people?

Mr. President,

On adequate housing, while looking forward to welcoming Ms. Raquel Rolnik to Indonesia within the mutually agreed timeframe, my delegation sincerely hopes that the upcoming visit will be mutually beneficial for our common commitment to the fulfilment of the right to adequate housing.

My delegation shares the view of the Special Rapporteur, that tenure security is one of the fundamental priorities of the fulfillment of adequate housing. For this reason, the Indonesian Government continuously seeks to promote housing finance policies and programs that aimed to enable home ownership for low-income households. The policies are embedded in our Long-Term National Development Plan of 2004-2025 and further elaborated in the Medium-Term Development Plans of 2004-2009 and of 2010-2014.

Various policies and projects have and are being carried out including National Movement for One Million Houses of 2003; Kawasan Siap Bangun (Kasiba) and Lingkungan Siap Bangun (Lisiba) since 2007, focusing on provision of various facilities for low-income households to apply for housing ownership.

To support the national housing program and tenure security, the Government also has been promoting various land certification programs to improve land and housing ownership, including for those living in rural areas. Currently, drafts on National Housing Savings Act and Government Regulation on Housing Finance System are being finalized. These will further strengthen the government’s efforts in providing compliance assurance of adequate housing to its people.

Mr. President,

In line with observations of the Special Rapporteur on informal settlements areas, last year the Indonesian Government in close cooperation with the World Bank established Slum Alleviation and Policy Program (SAPOLA) project, focusing on improving the living standards of the people in slum areas.

We believe that efforts to address informal settlement areas should be shifted from demolition and eviction toward a more humane and community-based perspective through effective remedial and preventive policies.

Finally, with respect to the Special Rapporteur’s recommendation on the establishment of complete legal and policy guidance to support tenure security, I wish to request the Special Rapporteur to elaborate some best practices and lessons learned as examples of the application of this recommendation.